Selectivity in the Extraction of 2-Quinolone Alkaloids With Supercritical Co2

Abstract

This work describes the conditions for selective extraction of the alkaloids in Andreadoxa flava (Kallunki). The experiments were performed in a pilot plant SFE 500, in the following conditions. Extractor pressures 206.8 x 105, 241.3 x 105, 275.8 x 105 and 310.3 x 105 Pascal and pressures of 137.9 x 105, 69.0 x 105 and 55.2 x 105 Pascal for separators 6, 7 and 8 respectively. The temperatures were 40 °C in the extractor and 20 oC in the separators. The samples, extracted from A. flava leaves, were analysed by 1H NMR and GC/FID as well as by comparison with standards. This procedure allowed the identification for the first time of the 2- quinolone alkaloid 8-methoxy-N-methyl-flindersine in A. flava leaves of the. In addition, zanthophylline, 5- methoxyalmene and 8-methoxyflindersine were identified as the main alkaloids in leaves. Under the best conditions for zanthophylline extraction it was possible to obtain a purity of 79.4% while with other phytochemical technique 55.5% was obtained.